Shawnee mom's Kate Middleton connection goes back to high school

In addition to being a mom herself, Amy Kirkwood shares something else in common with Kate Middleton.The Shawnee woman can say she attended school with the Duchess of Cambridge.

“She was exactly what you think she's like — really nice, sporty, kind of quiet,” Kirkwood said.In 1996-97, Kirkwood's senior year at Marlborough College in Southwest England, a new student arrived in Elmhurst House — a dorm of about 40 girls.

Middleton was known then as Catherine Middleton, and she was just another freshman among many notable families at the exclusive boarding school.

Kirkwood would organize inter-house events, like field hockey games. Middleton was a strong athlete in the sport, Kirkwood said.

“I just remember her being a nice positive person, and a good athlete, which was saying something because my house was quite an athletic house,” Kirkwood said.

But Kirkwood admitted that as a senior, she did not spend a lot of time getting to know the freshmen.“Our school attracted a lot of famous people. At the time you never knew if someone is going to come out to be the queen of England. Teaches you to be nice to your freshmen,” Kirkwood said.

The time studying in England made an impression on Kirkwood, and not just her ability to approximate a British accent. She said the British monarchy enchanted her in ways that may not appeal to more cynical Americans.“I think it's wonderful for the country and it's something great to aspire to,” Kirkwood said.

Kirkwood said she was always proud of her boarding school education. She and her four siblings all attended Marlborough. But having Middleton — who gave birth Monday to a son who is now third in line to the British throne — as a classmate has added to that fame.

The school was founded in 1843, but women weren't allowed to attend for all five years until 1991, she said. Other notable alumni are the children of musician Sting and the wife of British Prime Minister David Cameron.

“For people in England, it was already a well-known school, but now it's known worldwide,” she said.

After their year together, Kirkwood was bound for The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Middleton would continue onto Scotland's University of St. Andrews, which is where she met Prince William.

Kirkwood now works as director of Community Outreach for Pocono Medical Center. She has had an impressive career in public health including projects in Liberia and Thailand. She is a mother as well, to 3-year-old Annabelle and 1-year-old Henry.

“The parenting advice I would give Kate Middleton is to spend time with your husband. A happy marriage makes a happy family,” Kirkwood said. “And sleep while you can.”